Leveling device



E. B. MORGAN LEVELING DEVI CE Sept. 6, 1932.

Filed Feb. l2, 1951 mi im Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES ERVING '.B. MORGAN, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERIGAN'SEAT- INGCOMIANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, VAj CORPORATIONVOF NEW JERSEY LEVELING `niwren Application mea February 12, 1931.- serial No. 515,387.

The present invention relates to leveling devices and more particularly to devices for leveling school desk tops.

The main objects of the invention are'to provide a device whereby the normally 1nclined top of a school desk may be readily leveled; to provide a leveling attachment adapted to be secured to the underside of a school desk top for the purpose above outlined; to provide such a device which can be readily manipulated by a child; and, to provide such a device made of two parts which may be readily assembled and after its attachment to a school desk cannot be disassembled.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view o-f a conventional type of school desk, partly in section and partly broken away, showing the desk top held in horizontal position by the leveling device;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the desk, a portion thereof being broken away to show the leveling device;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the Yleveling device per se showing in dotted lines its folded relation;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the leveling device secured to the underside of the desk top and taken on line 1 -1 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the device shown in unfolded relation; s

v-Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the members; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the other member; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the leveling device secured to the underside of the desk top and in its folded relation.

The conventional school desk is provided with an inclined top. In the lower grades particularly, the pupils frequently work with crayons, pencils, rulers and the like which often roll or slide ofi' of such inclined tops causing confusion and annoyance. The deviceherein vshown and describedlcan .be conveniently manipulated by the pupil and provides means for leveling the desk top when Referringfto the drawinga school desk generally designated 1, is provided with a conventional normally linclined top 2 which is swingably securedfalong its rear edge to the desk by hinges not shown. A .horizontallyxdisposed ledge or rail 3 is secured' to the inner front side ofthe desk in an suitable manner and provides a ,support or the leveling device hereinafter described,j

The leveling device per se comprises a yoke i 4 having spring tensioned bifurcated portions 5 andan integrally formed tongue 6 interposed` between #the bifurcated portions whoseouter ends are provided with tensionl j ally yielding arcuate bearinghooks 7. I,

A'supporting strut 49 here shown as rectangular inform has .apairof spaced ears or stops 10 integrally formed at one of its ends; VBetweenthesestops is an integrall formed triangular cammed head 11.

The arcuate bearing hooks 7 embrace the strut on opposite sides of the cammed head 11 and the tongue 6 bears against the cammed head on the side opposite that embraced by y the bearing hooks to hold the device in assembled relation. A screw hole 12 is provided for securing the device to the underside of the desk top in the manner best shown in Figures 1 and 4.

In operation, the supporting strut 9 is normally in folded position as is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. When, however, it is desired to have the desk top in leveled position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the Q strut 9 is swung to the position shown in Figures fand 5 permitting its lower edge to rest on the ledge or rail 3 on the inside of the desk. A

Figures 6 and 7 show the manner in which the two parts of the device are assembled. It will be noted that the tongue 6 is adapted to slide over the fiat surface of the cammed head 11 and that the stops 10 do not prevent ever the separate parts shown in Figures 6 and 7 are assembled and secured to the underside of the desk, the hooks 7 stops 10 and cammed head 11 'prevent their separation y when in either their folded or unfolded relation.

It will be vnoted that for tensioning 'and quick acting purposes, the tongue bears against the triangular cammed head 11 during its Vswinging movenaent andthatl the spacedears l0 act as'stops for limiting ythe swinging movement of the strut as best shown in Figure 4. It will thus be seen that a child is able to readily level the normally inclined top of his school desk when desired.

While but one specific embodimentof this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction' shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit-of this invention asdefinedby the following claims. Y

claim.: 1. In a. device ofthe class described, a supporting strut, a bifurcatedV member having anintegrally formedtongue interposed e between said bifureatedA portionsysaid. bi-

furcated member being yieldingly hingedly connected` to said. supporting member with said fingertensionally contacting therewith.

Y 2. The combination-with a schooldesk having a swingably mounted normally inclined top,lof a pivotallymoun'ted spring tensioned arm secured to the underside. of -saidfdesk top adapted to be.v swung toa positionior leveling thetop..

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 9th day of February, 1931. e

.ERVING B. MORGAN. v 

